Adaptive reuse of turning a redundant pool at Waltham Forest College into a low-carbon, flexible learning space. The transformation sets a new benchmark for sustainable education.

The repurposing of a redundant swimming pool into a flexible Teaching &Learning Space is a transformational retrofit project that sets a benchmark for sustainable, low-carbon educational design. It exceeds the brief by combining a strong environmental ethos with an intelligent spatial strategy that enhances both educational delivery and long-term adaptability.

At its core, the project embraces innovation through adaptive reuse—transforming an underused, energy-intensive asset into a future-facing facility that aligns with the UK Government’s net zero agenda. By retaining and repurposing the existing pool structure, the project substantially reduces embodied carbon while preserving valuable site context. This approach conserves resources, minimises construction waste, and exemplifies circular economy principles—a critical shift in public sector retrofit thinking.

The design is both bold and thoughtful. Standout features include extensive thermal upgrades—meeting or exceeding DfE standards—achieved through high-performance insulation (0.15 U-value) and triple-glazed windows(1.0 U-value, 0.4 G Factor), which dramatically improve energy efficiency and internal comfort. Natural light is maximised through enlarged window openings, supported by low-energy LED lighting for minimal operational demand. Air source heat pumps, combined with mixed-mode ventilation, offer a low-carbon alternative to traditional systems.

Client and community engagement played a central role in shaping the space. Through a series of workshops with staff and students, the design was tailored to the school’s pedagogical needs—resulting in a flexibleenvironment suitable for group learning, independent study, digital teaching, and formal assessments such as exams. The integration of perimeter desks, window seating, and timber benching supports a diverse range of learningstyles and spatial configurations. Indoor planting further enhances the interioenvironment, contributing to student wellbeing, concentration, and biophilic connection.